Archives for Global Europe

There are rising problems in the Western Balkans. Serbia’s role in fostering region stability is growing as tensions increase in the traditionally problematic Balkan triangle of Croatia-Serbia-Bosnia. Serbia’s balancing act between Washington and the European Union on one side and Russia on the other has gained visibility since late 2014. Russia lost ground when the… » read more

This is an excerpt of an essay on the topic, published here. Digital power embraces and enhances the three dimensions that traditionally define national power — political, economic, and military. In order to establish how nation-states build digital power, it is essential to understand the developing factors for the digital environment and the way states… » read more

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU, the first extensive trade and investment deal that the EU has negotiated with a third party may not become reality. On July 5, the EU Commission has given in to calls coming from Germany and France to have the national parliaments ratify the… » read more

During a week of Brexit, two other items caught my attention: German (foreign) politics and the announcement of the establishment of the European Border and Coast Guard. The media buzzed on June 20 and June 21 announcing the visit of the German Minister of Economy Gabriel to Russia. First, it is still not clear whether… » read more

Kublai Khan: “But which is the stone that supports the bridge?” Marco Polo: “The bridge is not supported by one stone or another, but by the line of the arch that they form.” Kublai Khan: “Why do you speak to me of the stones? It is only the arch that matters to me.” Marco Polo:… » read more

Leaders across the continent have made it one of their priorities to move towards greater energy independence for the European Union. But who is the driving force here: The EU or its individual member states? Two interconnected factors which are essential to the issue may help us explore this question: Energy infrastructure and Geopolitics. Infrastructure… » read more

The Trans-Pacific Partnership was signed on Feb. 4 in Auckland. The TPP member states account for around 40% of the global economy and each have now two years to ratify or reject the agreement. This was to be expected and it is therefore not a geopolitical event. However, it is anticipated that media – and… » read more

During a training course on geopolitics, just a few days after the Paris terrorist attacks, I was asked whether there are “geopolitical advantages and disadvantages” for countries and, if so, which are the disadvantages for Romania, considering the current challenges Europe is facing. My reply was that there are no advantages and disadvantages – there… » read more

News coming from the Western Balkans states resembles much with news coming from Moldova, with protests against the government being the current norm. Popular unrest relates first of all to the socio-economic reality in these countries, but it also refers to the East-West balance of power. The so called ‘normalization process’ between Kosovo and Serbia,… » read more

The new Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull has referred to China in one of his first interviews tackling foreign affairs, saying that while Australia enjoys “very good relations” with China, some of Beijing’s attitudes are “counter-productive” and has advised it to ease off artificial island construction in the South China Sea. In his words, China… » read more

Every day, events occur that influence the state of the world. This blog comments on what's important, breaking down international news and raising questions to analyze their potential effects on global markets and politics.

About: Global Perspectives - Antonia Colibasanu

Antonia Colibasanu is a geopolitical risk analyst. Currently she is Stratfor's regional partner for Europe as well as Honorary Adviser to Romania’s Minister of Energy. She also works closely with the bestselling authors George Friedman and Robert D. Kaplan. A supporter for educational activities, she's also taking any opportunity to discuss with students and fellow researchers. Antonia frequently speaks on international economics and security topics at conferences and events in Europe, and since 2012, she has served on the educational board of the International Academy of Advanced Studies in Greece. Prior to joining Stratfor in 2006, Dr. Colibasanu held a variety of roles with the World Trade Center Association in Bucharest. With a background in academia both in Europe and the US, she holds a doctorate in international business and economics from Bucharest's Academy of Economic Studies, where her thesis focused on country risk analysis and investment decision-making processes within transnational companies. She also holds a master's degree in international project management. She is an alumna of the International Institute on Politics and Economics, Georgetown University.